The U.S. Army marked its 250th anniversary on Saturday with a large military parade in Washington, D.C., an event that unfolded amid nationwide protests and deep political division. The parade coincided with President Trump’s 79th birthday and reflected his long-standing desire to showcase American military power in a grand public display.
Despite stormy weather forecasts, the parade went ahead as planned. It featured armored tanks, artillery vehicles such as HIMARS, Black Hawk and Apache helicopters, and more than 6,000 uniformed troops. Historical uniforms and vintage vehicles were included to illustrate the Army’s long history. The procession also included 34 horses, two mules, and a dog named Doc Holliday. Spectators, including veterans like Mike Davis, welcomed the event. Davis, who served in the Army for 30 years, said the military had not held a parade of this scale since the Gulf War and described the anniversary as a fitting occasion. While he expressed disappointment that protests overshadowed the celebration, he said he supported the rights of Americans to voice their views.
President Trump, inspired by France’s Bastille Day parade, had sought to organize a similar event since his first term. Previous plans were scrapped due to high costs. At the end of Saturday’s parade, Trump praised the Army as the “greatest, fiercest and bravest fighting force” in the world. He said the parade was a long-overdue celebration of America’s military achievements and thanked the troops for making the nation proud. Trump was presented with a folded American flag, an honor typically given to the families of fallen soldiers.
The event drew sharp criticism from many Democratic lawmakers and opponents who accused the president of using the military for personal glorification. They argued that the parade resembled the displays of military force often seen in authoritarian countries. Critics also condemned the cost, estimated by Army officials to be between $25 million and $45 million, which included potential road repairs from damage caused by heavy vehicles.
As the parade took place in Washington, protests under the slogan “No Kings” spread across the country. Organizers said more than 5 million people joined demonstrations in over 2,000 locations. The protests were mostly peaceful, although police in Culpeper, Virginia, arrested a man who drove his vehicle into a crowd. No injuries were reported. In Philadelphia, where the main protest was held, thousands marched to highlight the city’s historic ties to American democracy. Other major protests took place in Los Angeles, Dallas, Anchorage, and San Francisco, with participants carrying signs and symbolic props such as a giant balloon depicting Trump as a baby.
Some protesters voiced concern about possible government surveillance. Others said they feared growing threats to democratic freedoms. Separately, U.S. Capitol Police arrested 60 people Friday evening after a group breached barriers near the Rotunda. The individuals face charges including unlawful demonstration, assault on police, and resisting arrest. The demonstrations were organized by more than 200 groups, including MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Communications Workers of America.
